THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that it has secured access to three Filipino nationals arrested in China on suspicion of espionage.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro announced on Monday that the Chinese government has granted consular access to the three individuals, currently under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate in Guangzhou.
The DFA is treating the case as a consular matter and is providing full government support to the Filipinos involved. Secretary Lazaro assured their families that the government has already engaged a law firm to represent them legally.
The three Filipinos, all former recipients of the Hainan Government Scholarship Program established under a sisterhood agreement between Hainan and Palawan provinces, are described by the National Security Council as ordinary citizens with no military training, criminal records, or prior involvement in espionage.
The Chinese government reportedly vetted and screened them before their arrival in China. While no specific details about the charges or the circumstances of their arrest have been publicly released, the DFA’s swift action to secure consular access and legal representation underscores the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
The DFA will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available.
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